9mm sweet spot ?
- Thread starter jski
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Pat Riot
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Out of those 3 I think the “sweet spot” IS the 9x19 Luger. And I agree with @Walkalong
fxvr5
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Maybe those people are wrong.
The 9x19 is too much for a pocket pistol just like the 38 Special is too much for a pocket pistol wheelgun.
The Lucky Gunner has me convinced that the ideal pocket pistol wheelgun is the 32 H&R Magnum but we’re talking about autoloaders here.
The Lucky Gunner has me convinced that the ideal pocket pistol wheelgun is the 32 H&R Magnum but we’re talking about autoloaders here.
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fxvr5
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According to???
All the gun channels that I trust advise against the 9mm Luger in the light weight pistol pocket form-factor because they’re just to unpleasant to shoot to put many rounds down range in practice.
Admittedly, I surely haven’t done any broad sampling of these guns myself.
Admittedly, I surely haven’t done any broad sampling of these guns myself.
fxvr5
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The same can be said of 380s. Those guns are generally lighter than 9mm guns. My Taurus pocket 380 is no fun to shoot.
Well, given that there's
9x17 (380auto)
9x18 (mak)
9x19 (Luger)
9x20 (Browning Long)
9x23 (Largo)
9x23 (semi rimmed 38super)
Plus other less popular chamberings for 9mm automatic pistols, I'd say 9x19 is pretty much in the goldilocks zone
Now, for my money, I don't think 380 is too little, nor do I think 9mm is too much for the task of civilian self defense. More a question of personal preference, what form factor works with one's lifestyle and other peripheral considerations. But as far as efficacy, at conversational distances, I think either will get the job done
9x17 (380auto)
9x18 (mak)
9x19 (Luger)
9x20 (Browning Long)
9x23 (Largo)
9x23 (semi rimmed 38super)
Plus other less popular chamberings for 9mm automatic pistols, I'd say 9x19 is pretty much in the goldilocks zone
Now, for my money, I don't think 380 is too little, nor do I think 9mm is too much for the task of civilian self defense. More a question of personal preference, what form factor works with one's lifestyle and other peripheral considerations. But as far as efficacy, at conversational distances, I think either will get the job done
I have a Polish P-64 chambered in 9x18 and it’ll bruise your palm. I use weight lifting gloves when at the range shooting it. But it is a blowback design. Maybe a locked-breech design for the Makarov would result in something less painful?
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earlthegoat2
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Infinite popularity is only a magazine article away.
fxvr5
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What about it?
lsudave
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As I remember, the Commies strongly respected the Walther PP style blowback DA/SA pistols, and made the 9x18 as the hottest practical round you could run in a small pistol of that design. Very simple, reliable, rugged and accurate for what they were. I have a few models, and it's a round I respect.
If you ran 9x19 out of a small blowback, it would beat the heck out of your hand. I don't find 9x18 bad at all in a CZ 82 or Makarov, it's got some punch in a P64, but in a PA 63 (almost straight PP design, with a titanium/aluminum alloy frame) it's brutal.
Side note, I've always wanted to find a 9x18 barrel for a Beretta Cheetah series gun.
If you ran 9x19 out of a small blowback, it would beat the heck out of your hand. I don't find 9x18 bad at all in a CZ 82 or Makarov, it's got some punch in a P64, but in a PA 63 (almost straight PP design, with a titanium/aluminum alloy frame) it's brutal.
Side note, I've always wanted to find a 9x18 barrel for a Beretta Cheetah series gun.
Where does the 9 Makarov fit in? Half way in between the 380 and the Luger? Closer to one than the other?
I know that the Russians still use high pressure, armor piercing 9mm Makarov rounds.
Old Dog
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Are they chambered in 380 or 9mm Luger?
How much do they weigh?
Old Dog
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9mm.
18 ounces.
18 ounces.
lsudave
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Based on personal experience only (no actual chronograph testing, just how it feels), Mak is hotter than .380 by a fair margin, but is closer to that than to Parabellum.
My perception is from comparing my brother's Bersa to my PA 63. The Bersa was mild and pleasant, the PA 63 would cause my thumb to sting. The guns themselves felt about identical.
Ignition Override
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Starts for the 9x18 Makarov round indicate that the energy is nearly identical to the generic .380's energy. That's my impression, and don't remember whose charts were the basis.
jski:
I could easily be mistaken, but so many comments among online reviews, which claim that "The 9x18 Mak. round's energy is Between the .380 and 9x19" almost seem to be intentionally misleading.
Folks: Let's also keep in mind that some of the guns which are >chambered< in 9x18 Mak are Not necessarily "Makarov handguns": P-64, P-83, PA-63 are different guns which use the 9x18 round.
jski:
I could easily be mistaken, but so many comments among online reviews, which claim that "The 9x18 Mak. round's energy is Between the .380 and 9x19" almost seem to be intentionally misleading.
Folks: Let's also keep in mind that some of the guns which are >chambered< in 9x18 Mak are Not necessarily "Makarov handguns": P-64, P-83, PA-63 are different guns which use the 9x18 round.
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fxvr5
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You can look those numbers up yourself.
Following that train of reasoning, an idea pocket pistol would be chambered in 7.65 x 17mm (.32ACP). The best example of this would be the Seecamp LWS 32 which is very pleasant to shoot and very accurate. If you buy into the bigger is better, there is the LWS 380...it actually isn't horrible to shoot as it isn't a straight blowback action.
In answer to your OP, and as mentioned previously, the 9x19mm is already the middle ground of 9mms and isn't too much for a pocket gun is you pick the right plarform. The SIG 365 is an excellent platform
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